There’s no report as to what other personnel was on the field for that one play, or the formation used, but it’s fun to think about nonetheless.

Last season, the Steelers didn’t use very much 21 or 22 personnel groupings, but when they did, fullback Will Johnson was second back on the field. Johnson, however, will never be considered a threat to carry the football.

For all we know, Blount was just getting a look as a lead blocker for Bell.

In an attempt to get rookie Dri Archer some offensive snaps in 2014, offensive coordinator Todd Haley might consider occasionally lining the third-round draft pick up in the backfield along with either Blount or Bell. Depending on the look and personnel presented at that point by the defense, several play checks would then exist.

On that play, the Steelers used their 21 personnel grouping with a broken eye look that featured Jonathan Dwyer in the eye and then-rookie Chris Rainey as the up-back on the strong side of the formation. Merely flaring both running backs out to the flat was enough to create much needed room for Miller in the middle of the field.

Why didn’t we see more of that in 2012? There’s so many plays that can run out of that formation depending on what the defense shows.

I think Haley will be more creative this year. I think he wanted to in 2012 but we couldn’t pull it off. Last year looked like more of a “learning what he can do with our offense based on the players skills”. Big Ben and Haley seemed to be “getting it” towards the end of last season, so this year I expect a more aggressive offense!

Steve

With Bell and Blount in the backfield this could be a powerful running combination.